You may have guessed that I’m a big fan of paper cranes. I learned how to make them when I was in 4th grade; I still make them often. I think they’re beautiful, and that’s why I designed a note card set with a crane motif. Today I’m going to walk you through the steps so you can make your very own.
{Step 1} Paper Selection
I’ve selected some origami paper for this tutorial. You won’t be surprised that I chose an orange piece. The orange side is the top, the white side (not shown here) is the bottom. You don’t have to use origmai paper. The paper simply has to be square (mine is 7″ x 7″), and it’s easier if it’s thin. Regular copy/printer paper will work just fine. It’s important to make sure your creases are crisp in each of the following steps.
{Step 2} Big Triangle
If you’re using double-sided paper, flip it so the top is on the table. Fold the paper in half diagonally to make a large triangle. The top side of the paper should be showing.
{Step 3} Little Triangle
Now you’ll fold the triangle in half, bringing the right corner to the left. Crease well. Rotate the paper 180 degrees, as pictured.
{Step 4} Lift & Open
Undo the last fold, so you’re looking at the large triange with a crease down the middle. Starting on the right, bring the right half straight up and open it with your finger. Bring the top point (the one in the air) to meet the bottom point (on the table). Complete the fold by creasing the paper.
Flip over. Repeat the fold you just made. (Do not rotate the paper.) You now have a small square which is at a 45 degree angle. The open side is facing you.
{Step 5} Fold Edges In
Fold the lower edges of the square (top layer) into the center crease, so they meet. Flip over and repeat on the other side. (Do not rotate the paper.)
{Step 6} Fold Top Down
Fold the top down and crease well.
{Step 7} Open & Reverse Fold
Unfold top layer. Then open the top layer (so you can see the white side of the paper), but not all the way to the top point. You want to use the newest fold (from step 6) as the top, reversing that fold.
Use the creases you made to fold the sides of the top layer into a diamond shape. Flatten and crease. Flip and repeat on the other side. (Do not rotate the paper.)
{Step 8} Fold Edges In
Fold the lower sides of the top layer into the center. Flip and repeat on the other side. (Do not rotate the paper.)
{Step 9} Make Neck & Tail
Fold the top layer on the right over to the left side. Take the point and fold it up (in half) at the crease. Fold the top layer back to the right.
Then repeat on the left side.
{Step 10} Add The Head
Chose one of the sections you just folded up (in step 9). I usually chose the uglier one – the one that isn’t quite right. Fold it down at a 90 degree angle about a third of the way down to form the crane’s head. Pinch the head together where it meets the neck to make it stay.
{Step 12} Open The Wings
Put your fingers on the base of the bird and your thumbs on the wings (at about mid-wing). Carefully tug the wings out and away from each other (your fingers that are at the base of the bird give you leverage). Ta da! Your cane is complete.
Once you’re confident in your crane-making abilities you’ll be able to try different papers and materials. I like using pages from old catalogs and the wrappers of Hershey’s Kisses or other foil-wrapped candies. Candy wrappers tend to be more delicate than paper, so don’t get too frustrated if you rip them. They are also much smaller than the 7″ x 7″ paper that I used in this tutorial, so that may be an additional challenge. Don’t forget: your material must be square.
After you practice a few times you’ll be able to show off your new talent to all of your friends! If they want to learn too, you can either teach them yourself or direct them to this tutorial.
Let me know how it goes!
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